Jerusalem, 2 Rabiul Akhir 1434/12 February 2013 (MINA) – The Palestinian elections commission declared the start of voter registration in the West Bank and Gaza today, according to IINA reports monitored by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA), Tuesday. A total of 604 registration centers were opened, of these 347 in the West Bank and 257 in Gaza. In a statement, the commission urged all citizens who reached 17 years of age or those who did not register earlier would proceed to the nearest center for voter registration. Dr. Sami Abu Zuhri, spokesman for Hamas movement, said earlier in a statement after a meeting between the Palestinian factions and the election commission, that the committee has informed the factions that it will update the electoral register from February 11 till February 19 in Gaza and the West Bank. “We have agreed to start operations in the Gaza Strip and we will begin in Gaza and the West Bank,” Central Elections Commission chief Hanna Nasser said after meeting Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, noting that there will be 254 centers to update voter rolls in the Gaza Strip. We were able to resolve 99% of problems relating to voter registration, he added. Nasser called on Hamas and Fatah movement to provide positive atmosphere till the end of the voter registration in Gaza. He expressed his hope that the positive atmosphere will not be spoiled by media statements between Hamas and Fatah movements, noting that “no matter what happens, the Commission must continue its work.” He stressed the need to allow all citizens to register their names and not to put pressure on anyone to prevent him/her from registering. (T/P01/E1).